Valois takes second at NE Amateur; in contention at US Am qualifying

IN THE HUNT: Warwick’s Brad Valois chips during the Rhode Island Amateur last week at Quidnessett Country Club.

File Photo

Posted
Tuesday, July 23, 2013 1:00 pm

Fresh off winning his fourth Rhode Island State Amateur title on July 13, Warwick native Brad Valois turned in another standout performance on the golf course this past weekend.

Valois finished in second place in the New England Amateur, just one stroke back of Vermont’s Evan Russell, who fired a 5-under 208 during the three-day tournament to capture the title.

Playing at Green Mountain National Golf Course in Killington, Vt., Valois entered the final round in fourth place, five strokes behind Russell. But Russell, a University of Hartford sophomore, faltered, shooting a 74 after opening the tournament with rounds of 66 and 68. Valois pulled within one stroke on his final three holes, but parred out to finish with a 70 and narrowly miss out on a playoff.

A New England Amateur winner in 2006, Valois shot rounds of 72 and 67 to begin the tournament.

He’ll now turn his attention to qualifying for the U.S. Amateur, as the sectional qualifying event is being held this week at Metacomet Country Club in East Providence. The first round was on Monday, where Valois shot a 2-under par 68 and is currently in tied for second place behind URI’s Branden Chicorka, who shot a 5-under 65. The second round is today, with the top three qualifying and the next two finishers serving as alternates.